Outdoor Research 'Climb a NW Icon' winner attempts Mt. Rainier

SEATTLE, WA. (8/25/11) â€“ Keeping with its â€˜Designed by Adventure' philosophy, Outdoor Research, a leading, independent manufacturer of outdoor apparel and accessories, is sending John Karakis, a police officer from Milwaukee, Wis., to climb one of the Pacific Northwest's icons, Mt. Rainier, this week. Karakis is the winner of Outdoor Research's Climb a Northwest Icon contest, which Karakis won last fall.

The contest was held in partnership with the Washington-based, world-renowned guide service International Mountain Guides, which is an integral partner in field-testing Outdoor Research's gear as part of the company's ongoing development process.

Karakis will continue the field-testing theme; as part of the contest, Outdoor Research outfitted him in an Outdoor Research shell jacket and pants, softshell jacket and pants, insulation layers, gloves, headwear and gaiters. He also got a tour of Outdoor Research's Headquarters and Seattle manufacturing facility before heading to Mt. Rainier for the climb.

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â€œTwo of the hallmarks of the Outdoor Research brand are innovation from the field and fostering a strong connection with consumers who are loyal to our gear,â€ said Charlie Lozner, Outdoor Research's director of marketing. â€œFor us, sending someone like John who uses our gear to one of the emblematic places in our area, and a place that's so integral in our testing process, really ties all those things together.â€

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Outdoor Research sponsors International Mountain Guides, based out of Ashford, Wash. â€œEach year IMG guides help test Outdoor Research gear to provide extensive feedback to the OR product development team,â€ said Tye Chapman, operations manager for International Mountain Guides.

â€œWith Outdoor Research being such a well-recognized brand and a northwest icon in its own right, it's only fitting that our guides put OR gear through some of the toughest testing possible here on Mt. Rainer, as well as around the world,â€ Chapman said. â€œWe continue to be impressed with Outdoor Research and their desire to improve and innovate. This contest is really emblematic of our larger relationship, but in the end it comes down to the folks who use the gear and climb the mountains, so we're psyched to be able to bring a fan of the outdoors like John into the mix, and show him our collective back yard.â€

About Outdoor Research

Based in Seattle, Wash., Outdoor Research designs and manufactures functional solutions for human-powered adventure. Outdoor Research offers technically innovative and superior apparel, headwear, handwear, gaiters, storage and shelter systems. Product testing and high-quality construction is backed up with OR's Infinite GuaranteeÂ®. Outdoor Research enthusiastically supports the outstanding conservation, access, and educational efforts of a variety of organizations and encourages our customers to do the same. Outdoor Research â€“ Designed by AdventureÂ®.

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